(Grand Haven, MI)
I begin the day reading from Proverbs 15.
A gentle answer turns away wrath,
but a harsh word stirs up anger.
Proverbs 15:1
Harshness adds nothing to a disagreement.
Harshness subtracts from the truth.
Harshness polarizes; gentleness disarms.
Harshness depletes; gentleness adds.
Gentleness subtracts nothing from a disagreement.
Gentleness provides the atmosphere in which truth can shine.
Avoid harshness. Exude gentleness.
I read this verse from my NIV Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible. Below it is a link to the following list.
Character Traits in Proverbs
Traits to be avoided
Traits to be promoted
Harshness depletes; gentleness adds.
Gentleness subtracts nothing from a disagreement.
Gentleness provides the atmosphere in which truth can shine.
Avoid harshness. Exude gentleness.
I read this verse from my NIV Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible. Below it is a link to the following list.
Character Traits in Proverbs
Traits to be avoided
- anger 29: 22
- antisocial behavior 18: 1
- beauty without discretion 11: 22
- blaming God 19: 3
- dishonesty 24: 28
- greed 28: 25
- hatred 29: 27
- hot temper 19: 19; 29: 22
- immorality 6: 20– 35
- inappropriate desire 27: 7
- injustice 22: 16
- jealousy 27: 4
- lack of mercy 21: 13
- laziness 6: 6– 11; 18: 9; 19: 15; 20: 4; 24: 30– 34; 26: 13– 15
- maliciousness 6: 27
- meddling 26: 17; 30: 10
- pride 15: 5; 16: 18; 21: 4, 24; 29: 23; 30: 13
- quarrelsomeness 26: 21
- self-conceit 26: 12, 16
- self-deceit 28: 11
- self-glory 25: 27
- self-righteousness 30: 12
- social disruption 19: 10
- stubbornness 29: 1
- unfaithfulness 25: 19
- unneighborliness 3: 27– 30
- vengeance 24: 28– 29
- wickedness 21: 10
- wicked scheming 16: 30
Traits to be promoted
- avoidance of strife 20: 3
- compassion for animals 12: 10
- contentment 13: 25; 14: 30; 15: 27
- diligence 6: 6– 13; 12: 24, 27; 13: 4
- faithful love 20: 6
- faithfulness 3: 5– 6; 5: 15– 17; 25: 13; 28: 20
- generosity 21: 26; 22: 9
- honesty 16: 11; 24: 26
- humility 11: 2; 16: 19; 25: 6– 7; 29: 23
- integrity 11: 3; 25: 26; 28: 18
- kindness to others 11: 16– 17
- kindness to enemies 25: 21– 22
- leadership 30: 19– 31
- loyalty 19: 22
- nobility 12: 4; 31: 10, 29
- patience 15: 18; 16: 32
- peacefulness 16: 7
- praiseworthiness 27: 21
- righteousness 4: 26– 27; 11: 5– 6, 30; 12: 28; 13: 6; 29: 2
- self-control 17: 27; 25: 28; 29: 11
- strength and honor 20: 29
- strength in adversity 24: 10
- teachableness 15: 31
- truthfulness 12: 19, 22; 23: 23
